A France travel guide · Nicole & Michael

One mom. One teen.

He’s got the itinerary. She’s got the wine.

Christmas markets, cozy stays, favorite meals and the fun we found along the way, one region of France at a time.

Nicole and Michael in France
Nicole riding a sardine, holding a baguette

Travel Diaries

Oui Went There

When in doubt, shout bonjour.

Michael riding a tricolor seahorse, waving a French flag

Petits moments

La Vie en Instax

Life lately, with a French accent.

Date · Town
Date · Town
Date · Town
Date · Town
Date · Town

Les régions de France

Our Tour de France: One Région at a Time

Less pedaling. More pastries.

Normandie

Normandy

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Lyon & the French Alps

Île-de-France

Paris & Surrounding Region

Pays de la Loire

Western Loire Region

Occitanie

Occitania

Bretagne

Brittany

Marchés de Noël

Christmas Markets in France

We came for the markets. We stayed for the raclette.

Nicole and Michael strolling past snowy half-timbered houses, a Christmas tree and a canal bridge, with mulled wine, hot chocolate, a croissant and a pretzel

Joyeux Noël
Mark your calendrier!

2026 Christmas Market Calendar: France Edition

A guide to Christmas markets across France: dates, hours, and everything to know before you ho-ho-go. Just add vin chaud.

Alsace

Strasbourg

2026 dates coming soon

Alsace

Colmar

2026 dates coming soon

Champagne

Reims

2026 dates coming soon

Lorraine

Metz

2026 dates coming soon

Île-de-France

Paris: La Défense

2026 dates coming soon

Picardie

Amiens

2026 dates coming soon

Hauts-de-France

Lille

2026 dates coming soon

Champagne

Châlons-en-Champagne

2026 dates coming soon